How to Rock and Roll
#1
Thread Starter
I Voted for the Green M&M

Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 509
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
Bikes: Fixie
How to Rock and Roll: A City Rider's Repair Manual by Sam Tracy
I did a quick search, but didn't find any reference to this book. I've had it maybe a bit more than a year now. I guess this would be better posted in the mechanics area, but it seems like most of us just post here. Furthermore, I assume most here would appreciate it more.
The book only has a very small mention of fixies. However, it is not a bad overall manual. I got it as a beginner, but now that I'm more knowledgeable, it works a lot better for me (when I got it I didn't know what a bottom bracket was). As any repair manual, it needs more pics. The book gives a lot of "punk rock" ways of repairing stuff. The most fun thing about the book is the not-so-random car-hatin' social commentary. It's good to keep it by the craper. Regardless, as I said, I was surprised to not find any reference in the forums and it is totally worth the $12. Anyone else familiar with the book? Did I miss something in my search - if so, sorry for the repeat.
I did a quick search, but didn't find any reference to this book. I've had it maybe a bit more than a year now. I guess this would be better posted in the mechanics area, but it seems like most of us just post here. Furthermore, I assume most here would appreciate it more.
The book only has a very small mention of fixies. However, it is not a bad overall manual. I got it as a beginner, but now that I'm more knowledgeable, it works a lot better for me (when I got it I didn't know what a bottom bracket was). As any repair manual, it needs more pics. The book gives a lot of "punk rock" ways of repairing stuff. The most fun thing about the book is the not-so-random car-hatin' social commentary. It's good to keep it by the craper. Regardless, as I said, I was surprised to not find any reference in the forums and it is totally worth the $12. Anyone else familiar with the book? Did I miss something in my search - if so, sorry for the repeat.
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Well at least I'm housebroken.
Well at least I'm housebroken.
#2
Senior Member

Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 334
Likes: 0
From: Asheville, NC
Bikes: Rock Lobster track, Colnago Dream, Ti Paramount, Litespeed Vortex compact, Santa Cruz Blur, Bianchi cyclocross...always wanting more...
Looks like a good read. Funny thing - went to the website, read what it had to say, saw the links for purchase, followed a link to Amazon...where it's listed for $177.27!!! I'll be following the $12 link.
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Rock Lobster
Rock Lobster
#3
SuperstitiousHyperrealist

Joined: May 2004
Posts: 433
Likes: 0
From: Boston
Bikes: unknown road conversion, half built Benotto track
It has been out of print for quite some time now thus making it pretty impossible to find. There used to be a website that you could order it directly from but if you use the email address provided you will get no reply. Bummer. I was on a quest to find this book about a year ago but had no luck. If anyone can find it I'd love to know how, it seems like a pretty fun read.
#5
無くなった

Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,072
Likes: 0
From: Sci-Fi Wasabi
Bikes: I built the Bianchi track bike back up today.
Originally Posted by South Fulcrum
I didn't know it was out of print. That sucks!
Shhhhh - maybe I can copy mine and make it a pdf - Shhhhhhhhh
Shhhhh - maybe I can copy mine and make it a pdf - Shhhhhhhhh
If you gave me a book, I could give you a PDF too. If it's a paperback or hardbound it might not look too good when you get it back though...
#7
Nameless

Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
Bikes: SS Road bike (nothing outstanding), Fixed Batavus (1970)
Heres the offical site (you might already know this) https://www.howtorockandroll.org/index.php3
#8
無くなった

Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,072
Likes: 0
From: Sci-Fi Wasabi
Bikes: I built the Bianchi track bike back up today.
Originally Posted by South Fulcrum
HereNT,
I'm pretty sure Sam Tracy, the dude who wrote it, is/was in Minneapolis.
I'm pretty sure Sam Tracy, the dude who wrote it, is/was in Minneapolis.
I won't print up any copies since it's still in print. If it was something you couldn't find anymore, then it would be a different story. Support the author and buy it off of his site...
#9
無くなった

Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,072
Likes: 0
From: Sci-Fi Wasabi
Bikes: I built the Bianchi track bike back up today.
Originally Posted by South Fulcrum
HereNT,
I'm pretty sure Sam Tracy, the dude who wrote it, is/was in Minneapolis.
I'm pretty sure Sam Tracy, the dude who wrote it, is/was in Minneapolis.
#10
無くなった

Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,072
Likes: 0
From: Sci-Fi Wasabi
Bikes: I built the Bianchi track bike back up today.
Originally Posted by King Flatulence
it's a good book. As a novice I found it a bit too advanced but still a valuable reference tool. The more you learn the more the book helps. I ordered my copy last winter from the publisher (Black Kettle Graphics). If you live in the Twin Cities the Arise book collective on Lyndale usually has copies of it. The writer for sure lived here for several years (he still might for all I know). He put out a pretty good zine called the Multiplier for a few years too (maybe he's still putting it out, I haven't seen a new issuse for years tho). I stopped in at the Hub last weekend and they still had issues of it for sale in their zine section if any locals are inclined to check them out.
#11
Senior Member

Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 334
Likes: 0
From: Asheville, NC
Bikes: Rock Lobster track, Colnago Dream, Ti Paramount, Litespeed Vortex compact, Santa Cruz Blur, Bianchi cyclocross...always wanting more...
I just ordered from Last Gasp for $12 and since the site let me order I'm assuming it is in stock & available.
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Rock Lobster
Rock Lobster
#12
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
You can find Sam Tracy's new book through Speck Press (www.speckpress.com). It is coming out this summer and if you e-mail the publisher, they will let you know when you will be able to order it.
#13
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 911
Likes: 7
From: Oakland, CA
Bikes: Cinelli Supercorsa, Nagasawa Special, Moots Compact, Gunnar Roadie
I believe he's living in San Francisco now and working at Freewheel. I've seen him at both the Hayes and Valencia locations. I like that book too.





